S.C.'s tiny terns now live mostly in people's rooftops

South Carolina’s tiny seabirds have adapted to habitat destruction, but the “least terns” could still use some help.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources found that 60 percent of least terns have made their homes in South Carolina’s rooftops.

To encourage cooperation, the agency is recognizing tern-friendly businesses with an official sign to place in their windows.

The poster designates them a partner with DNR in providing habitat for the birds, which are a state recognized “non-game species in need of management.”

The sign also states: “If you see any chicks in the parking lot, please let management know.”

On Wednesday biologist Mary-Catherine Martin said the agency has identified 25 different roofs that have supported least tern nesting colonies in Charleston, Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties.

“Each season is different, and the terns move frequently to different sites, although some sites seem more favorable than others,” she said.

Advocates erect fencing on a roof edge that does not have a parapet in order to keep young chicks from falling off the edge.

How do people know if a least tern has chosen their roof?

“If in the spring they see least terns flying above a flat roof and they appear to be coming and going and are a little noisy … letting DNR know … helps tremendously,” said Martin in an email Wednesday.

Least terns, South Carolina’s smallest seabird with coastal nests, arrives in late April and nests until mid-May.

This year in South Carolina 60 percent of the least tern nesting sites were on roofs. They began in the early 80's in South Carolina, but growing coastal development has taken up the seabirds' suitable beach nesting habitat. So they have adapted to making shallow nest scrapes in the pea gravel found on some roofs, according to DNR.

What experts found:

— Officials recorded the largest colony — with 126 nests — on a roof at the ALCOA plant near Goose Creek in Berkeley County. The most successful colony was at the Springmaid Resort in Myrtle Beach, Horry County with 94 nests and at least 74 fledged young terns, the agency found.

— The most inland colony was 105 miles away from the coast at Camden High School in Kershaw County.

— The most unusual colony site was found under the Ravenel Bridge in Charleston. The seabirds were discovered nesting on the flat, clam-shell covered surfaces of concrete bridge supports.

During the winters, gulls had broken open clams after dropping them on the supports, leaving the shell pieces, according to DNR. Martin said the concrete supports are shaded during part of the day, which left the least terns undisturbed.

For more information about how to assist the least tern, contact SC DNR at (843) 509-4845 or MartinMC@dnr.sc.gov .